Conference Weekend/Father and Sons

This weekend was the father and sons... I mean Aaronic Priesthood Commemoration camp out. This year with strict instructions to take pictures I actually have something to post here.

(the weird face of Porter is him saying 'cheese'... its either not looking or this, smiles are not really a option he chooses I have to catch those randomly)

Once we packed his 'pack pack' he was ready to go and almost had a meltdown when he couldn't get in the truck and go right away. I took a few pictures 'in case' something happened to the camera and we didn't get any more pics.

The 'fabulous' tent Bryce rigged in his truck... playing in the dirt. They had a GREAT time!

Porter ate most of this bag of cheetos and a bag of cookies since dinner wasn't ready until too late for a toddler. He did not have a problem with it and nearly finished off the bag on the way home!

Avery had a blast playing with all of the toys Porter doesn't let her have (she spent a lot of time in his room!) and she enjoyed mom's full attention. I know I enjoyed really 'seeing' her and not feeling torn between so many things to get done... we read books, played with toys, and I got to cuddle her instead of trying to quickly get her to fall asleep... she still smells like a baby and I know that will be gone really soon! I didn't get quite as much accomplished as last year when I pieced the top and bottom of a crib quilt at 8 months pregnant... and I will not be going into the labor tonight like I did last year for Avery's early grand entrance.

I couldn't tell you what session of Conference this was... but as soon as it started Porter got down on his knees and folded his arms... it was adorable! We can barely get him to do that when we pray each night... the things kids 'know' without being taught! I know I was not an example of sitting and focusing on it this year!

This year we got to have both sets of grandparents in town for Easter. For Porter and Avery's upcoming birthdays my parents got us zoo passes. So we all went to the zoo.

we saw giraffes, Porter growled like a bear in front of the bears, and saw big tortoises

at first Porter spent a lot of time watching the animals...

then he got excited and dragged Aunt Melissa to the next animal as fast as she would let him!

we saw elephants, Avery enjoyed the birds

(she was way more interested than I thought she would be)

After a quick snack break Porter was ready to tell us where to go next!

we saw little animals... and some?? not sure what, but most of us were looking in this picture

we took the LONG walk down to the farm area where there's a petting zoo... Porter was NOT interested in touching or brushing the goats.

He WAS interested in jumping off the logs though!

That night we met up with the Cox side of the family to watch the temple pageant.

We enjoyed some pizza, hung out with cousins, and enjoyed the show.

all the 'Cox' cousins (minus Tommy and Utah Cousins)

Grandpa and Grandma Bird, Aunt Melissa, and our family

The next day we saw the Shedlocks in the morning, but took NO pictures?!? (oops!)

Later that day we had a yummy lunch and Easter egg hunt at Justin and Stacy's house.

a little red rover... some tree climbing... lots of playing!

Avery looked adorable...

somehow we didn't manage to look up when people were taking our picture =(

Porter remembered and Bryce had to hold him back until they started.

attempts at a family photo... obviously the candy is more important!

Then after all that fun his cousins invited him to go swimming with him back at the hotel... even though he was totally tired he never turns down the opportunity to swim. So much fun, thanks guys!

After a LONG, but very fun weekend Porter was very tired and fell asleep in his fireman hat.

Thanks to everyone who made Easter/Conference weekend so fun!

Just in case you ever wonder what would happen if you say left your phone sitting open on your car while you buckled your children in... and then say you forgot and drove off.

Getting run over is not good for cell phones... good bye phone numbers. good bye calendar... yikes what am I going to do!

Long catch up post (for the grandparents)

It's been a LONG time again... so here's what we've been up to over the last 3 months.

I'm starting with easter pictures (well the sunday before) because I don't want to drag them all the way to the bottom.

We started with Avery... she didn't want to sit, was okay with standing, and loved posing with the caterpillar dump truck.

then Porter wanted a turn, but not really

with the help of dad we got a few more by the dump truck.

I wanted some more traditional ones without the dump truck...

they said no way!

In January we went to Jada's (Porter's cousin/our neice) baptism:

It was great... crazy how soon that day will come!

In Febuary for Valentine's Day we were super romantic and set up the tent in the backyard, got take out and slept outside with the kids... they loved it!
(it was going to be a suprise for Bryce, but like all good ideas/plans he messed it up by having the same idea)

(no proof that anyone but Porter was there, but we all slept and ate outside)

As a result we have been building tents inside ever since:

A good way to account for what we've been up to is to go through pictures so here is goes:

Storytime... we go about once a week.

this time the cookie mouse was there

We go to the park:

Porter wants to go swimming:

(this was when grandpa and grandma were staying at a hotel with a heated pool, and we got to go swim. Porter had the shark on WAY before it was time to go... then once he was dressed he ran out to the stroller, they were both VERY excited!)

(now they have a pool in the backyard... we tried to go to the pool down the street this week and it was TOO cold, Porter wouldn't get in past his waist at first, but after about 10 minutes he went for it. He was very determined swimming back and forth the length of the pool. After a bit he was shivering so much so the mean mom made him get out. Avery agrees with mom... it's still a little too cold she would hardly get in the big pool- just a little once Porter did and still doesn't want to get in the backyard pool)

Porter loves water... after kids club last week we walked by the courtyard where there are fountains... some girls were playing in it so naturally he wanted to go over. I let him put his hands in... then his feet. Then the girls jumped in... he REALLY wanted to, but I said no... he tried to take it well, but he couldn't help it. Tears welled up in his eyes and ran down his face and I couldn't say no to those brown eyes... he's only a kid once and no one was there to tell us not to... He had a blast!!

He also LOVES to hang out with the young men. Last night was softball and they had a double header so we went and hung out with them. Mr. Chicken Little Fan loved it. After the first game he snuck out onto the field and ran the bases... he was VERY disappointed when he counldn't stay out and play with the boys.

Avery has been making messes everywhere and has learned how to climb up stairs. The center picture is her practicing she went up and down that single stair until she figured it out, now she is obsessed with stairs and actually has very good technique, i'm still a little nervous... the other day I forgot the baby gate and couldn't find her anywhere...

after some frantic yelling, by me, she came crawling out of Porter's room upstairs! Yes she went all the way upstairs by herself!

While we are talking about parenting blunders... Porter has finally done what all the 'old' people say will happen and lecture me about... he fell out of the cart at costco... he actually did a backwards sumersault out of the cart... it scared him a little and he cried some, but the next time we went to costco he remembered and wanted to sit by sister... even though she kept trying to touch Thomas.

Now and then Porter and Avery play well together:

they love these blocks and Avery loves walking behind brother on the dump truck

But, little sister is always trying to do whatever Porter is doing... sometimes he screams and runs away saying 'she's getting me, she's getting me!' The gate helps relieve the tension sometimes =)

Trying to get a good picture... she thought it was funny:

This is the best part about the new stroller... the new church schedule means naps are all messed up. A quick walk around the neighborhood and they are out. SO CUTE!

Porter has started to want to take pictures by himself...resulting in pictures like this (with help)

We go to kids club and ride the carosel on Thursdays:

(Porters still scared stage v. Averys fearless stage)

Porter has finally overcome his period of fear of the carosel... one day his friend Andres came and he got to ride on the triceratops. Avery has since developed a fear of the carosel she lasts about 5 seconds and freaks out. I don't blame her it makes me dizzy too!

Avery (10 mo.) loves to stand and walk along everything... she started crawling the same day she learned to pull herself to a stand... and she LOVES her clothes, often she grabs things from the closet and is upset if I dress her in something different (scary times ahead i'm sure). She also LOVES shoes, if a pair is on the floor she's after them... or in Relief Society she will crawl to whoever is wearing the cutest shoes on the front row and is their best friend.

I LOVE this little face (especially the little scrunch nosed girl in the first one!)

Even without teeth she manages to eat ice cream cones right along with her brother... don't even think about not giving her one when Porter gets one or you'll hear about it!

Time for some movies =)

Avery is definately smarter than her brother... she watches Sadie, tests it with a ball and goes for it =) Now its tough to keep her inside!

Bryce got a new drill so this one gets to stay home and Porter got to play with it...

needless to say he LOVED it. Bryce also made him a little tool bag he can play with and he's always fixing things for me.

Learning to use a drill.

Learning to use the hammer.

Puppy Porter- Porter has started to do a little imaginative play... Bryce has started to exploit this because its so funny to watch.


Porter and Avery wrestling/playing


More Porter and Avery playing... its cute they really have started to play together more.

If you've made it this far you get to see the craziness of our home... if you leave the waffle iron out your husband will make grilled cheese with it and think its the greatest thing ever and want his picture taken just like his son!

That's all for now, phew!